From our archives:

85 years ago

Members of the Bertram Mills’ Circus staff were finding plenty to interest them in York, as a party of 40 paid a visit to Messrs Terry’s Chocolate Factory.

After been shown round all the various departments, they all received a box of chocolates from Mr E Blackburn, the assistant works manager.

It was congratulations all round for Dr Edward Bairstow who had been given a knighthood in the honours list.

Dr Bairstow the son of a clothing manufacturer, and assistant to Sir Frederick Bridge, became Organist and Master of the Choir of York Minster in 1913.

The spell of warm weather had attracted the Fair York Water Nymphs to take part in a spot of swimming at Rowntree Park Baths, whilst Beverley Grammar School held a successful Founder’s Day at Beverley Minister.

50 years ago

In Barlow, near Selby 42 pupils had finally moved into their new £14,000 two classroomed school after the old one had been demolished due to it being “outdated, outmoded and undersized” according to its headmistress Mrs C M Lindley.

Work was progressing on the roof of Norton swimming pool, although the actual pool was still a maze of scaffolding.

In Pocklington it was however a different story as the swimming pools new manager made regular rounds most mornings to greet some of its “regular customers.”

And Friday night football, was to cost the clubs a £100 penalty fine if it continued.

Complaints had come from the Pools Promoters Association which attempted to put a stop to the Friday night football, which had become a regular occurrence for York City as it was considered to attract better support than Saturday soccer.

20 years ago

Royal anniversary celebrations went with a bang in York after a 21-gun salute was fired in the Museum Gardens to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

A family in Harlthorpe near Selby had a real hoot after a baby barn owl fell down the chimney into their living room, two years after its mother made the same journey.

Just as the family were preparing to say goodbye to their new friend, the family found another owl in similar circumstances believing that the first owl could have been its mother.

And a warning had been issued to farmers in Ryedale after a flock of 66 chickens were stolen.